How Much Does It Cost to Trim Bushes? [2026 Data]

Wondering how much it costs to trim bushes? Professional bush and hedge trimming costs $980 on average but you can expect to pay between $480 and $1,557.

Maintaining your yard with the help of a landscaper can be costly, but certain projects are more affordable than others. Of course, the exact amount you’ll pay largely depends on the size of the bushes and the cost of landscapers in your area. Check out how much it costs to trim bushes and how to budget for this project.

Hedge Trimming Cost Calculator

Calculations are based on the cost of trimming a small group of shrubs or bushes. Calculations rounded to the nearest whole number.

How to Calculate Hedge Trimming Cost

To calculate the cost of trimming hedges or bushes, follow these steps:

• Determine the type and number of trimming services: Start by determining whether the shrubbery in question are hedges or bushes, and then count the number that need trimming.

• Get quotes from local trimming services: Shop around to at least three local bush trimming services to determine their pricing. Ask about how they bundle pricing and services for multiple shrubs.

• Calculate the price: Once you’ve settled on a bush trimming service, multiply their per bush pricing by the number in your yard that need trimming.

Trimming Bushes Cost Breakdown

One of the easier projects to tackle around your home is trimming your bushes or hedges. This task keeps the outside of your home looking aesthetically pleasing, and it’s an affordable maintenance option compared to larger-scale landscaping projects. 

Type

While the average cost to trim bushes is $980, how much you’ll pay is largely determined by the type of plants.

The cost of trimming hedges depends on the hedges’ height and length. Hedges that are six feet or taller cost more because landscapers will likely need to use ladders. Pruning smaller hedges may cost as little as $200, while pruning long hedges can cost $3,000 or more. You should also consider whether your hedge is long overdue for pruning. The longer you go without doing proper maintenance, the higher the cost of hedge trimming.

Quantity 

Your landscaper will give you a pruning estimate based on how many bushes and hedges you have on your property. Your landscaper may offer discounts on multiple trees and shrubs that need pruning. That’s why it helps to take a look at your yard as a whole and determine everywhere you may need a landscaper’s help in the near future.

Size

Larger bushes require more equipment to trim, such as ladders and additional safety equipment, so you may pay a higher price to get these trimmed. Additionally, if you have many bushes or hedges that need professional trimming versus one or two, you’ll pay on the higher end of the price range since it requires more time and effort. 

Location

The location of your bushes and hedges on your property can impact the price of trimming. For example, bushes that are close to your home require landscaping pros to take extra caution so as to not damage your home features, such as siding or windows. 

If you have tall shrubs near a sidewalk or the side of the road, landscaping pros may have to take extra cautionary steps to avoid traffic or pedestrians. These obstructions cause workers to take longer trimming your bushes or hedges, increasing the service price, especially if you’re paying by the hour. 

Cleanup and Hauling

Some landscaping professionals charge an additional fee for cleaning up the debris left by the bushes and hedges. Since this cleanup process takes time and they have to haul away the materials, an extra cost often makes sense. Still, some companies build the cleanup into the total price and others charge hauling separately. 

If hauling is a separate charge from the pruning job, expect to pay $25 to $100. If you combine the pruning with other bush removal services, the hauling can cost $200 to $500. 

Repeat Service

Trimming bushes isn’t a one-time fix. You must keep up with the trimming each year to ensure your hedges don’t become overgrown, potentially causing damage to your home or protruding into your neighbor’s yards. 

It’s best to plan to pay a monthly, quarterly, or at least yearly fee for professional bush and hedge maintenance services. Plus, your landscaping pros may offer a discount for frequent services, and they can help you determine when to trim your bushes for maximum growth.

Additional Costs to Consider

Generally, trimming and pruning bushes is a straightforward process, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t other costs you should consider before deciding to work with a professional landscaper. 

• Adding plant growth regulator: $30–$500

• Landscape consultation: $100–$200

• Pest control: $50–$500

Why You Should Hire a Bush and Hedge Trimming Pro

If you have the right tools (or you’re willing to buy them), you can save $50 to $100 per hour in labor by cutting your own bushes and hedges. However, there’s more skill than you think required to trim bushes properly, so it’s better to hire a local hedge trimming pro if you want the job done correctly.

Here’s why it’s ideal to hire a bush trimming pro

Here are the main reasons to consider hiring a pro for bush trimming (instead of doing it yourself):

• Professionals know how to use different tools and techniques to trim bushes into your preferred shape.

• Experts have the right equipment—including pruners, loppers, and safety gear—for the job.

• Professional landscapers understand the right time of year to trim different types of bushes. 

• While working, pros can check for dead or diseased plants and remove them before they attract pests.

• DIY mistakes can lead to overtrimming, plant damage, and regrowth issues.

• Pros can work faster and more efficiently than less-experienced DIYers.

Cost of Common Landscaping Add-Ons

Trimming bushes and hedges is a basic task for most landscaping pros, so adding on additional services may help you score a better deal and keep your yard looking even better. 

While you’re at it, consider asking your landscapers if they offer lawn-cutting services, leaf removal, or tree limb trimming.

• Mowing cost: $50–$200 

• Leaf removal cost:$150–$600 

• Tree trimming cost: $75–$1,800

How You Can Save Money Trimming Your Bushes

Whether you DIY the project or work with landscapers or arborists, there are ways you can cut down on the cost associated with trimming your bushes and hedges. Here are a few tips to help you save:

1. DIY whenever you can: Trimming bushes is something most people can learn on their own. Spend some time looking at YouTube videos and get a sense of how to trim bushes or hedges. This can save you from hiring someone. 

2. If you DIY, get the proper tools: Purchase high-quality pruning shears and other essential trimming tools. While there may be an upfront cost, these tools can last longer and provide better results, saving you money in the long run.

3. Utilize trimmings around your garden: Instead of bagging and disposing of the trimmed branches, consider using them as mulch. Mulching can help retain moisture in the soil, suppress weeds, and reduce the need for additional landscaping materials.

4. Get off-season work done: Consider scheduling professional trimming during off-peak seasons when landscapers might offer discounts to fill their schedules. Avoid peak times, such as spring and fall, when demand is high.

5. Consider full removal: If you moved into a home with bushes you simply can’t manage, it may make sense to pay for removal instead of constant trimming. 

How Angi Gets Its Cost Data

Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We’ve surveyed over 30,000 real Angi customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects. 

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